DNA Day celebration at NOVA-Manassas

On April 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Manassas Campus of Northern Virginia Community College will celebrate National DNA Day with several activities. National DNA Day commemorates the discovery of the double helix in 1953 and the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003.

11 a.m.:  Opening ceremony in Colgan Theater featuring student speaker.

11:30 a.m.:  “Forensics: The Power of DNA” by keynote speaker Andrea Gardner.
Gardner is a supervisor of forensic casework and a senior DNA analyst at the Bode Technology Group in Lorton, Va., a private forensic company specializing in using DNA markers to perform criminal casework, missing person identification, innocence project/post-conviction testing, mass disaster identifications and government research. Gardner has performed work on more than 100,000 forensic DNA samples and testified as an expert witness in numerous trials around the country. Her team specializes in cold case and post-conviction testing and works with some of the most difficult and complex forensic cases. Gardner holds a master’s degree in molecular and cellular biology from Johns Hopkins University.

12:15 p.m.:  DNA Art Contest winners will be announced.

12:30 p.m.:  Lunch and outdoor activities including live music, face painting, DNA extraction from food, genetically modified food, cookie decoration and DNA henna.